Altagracia Calderón

Altagracia Calderón (1837, Jalacingo - October 17, 1917, Puebla), nicknamed "La cabra" or "La charra", was a Mexican nurse and militant. She fought against the French during the Second French Intervention in her country.

Biography She was born in Jalacingo, a town which at that time was part of the municipality of Teziutlán. She joined the militias that formed in Teziutlán against the invading troops of the Second French Empire alongside her husband, Gabino Ortega, commander of the cavalry troops, who was killed in military action. She joined the troops of Ignacio Zaragoza to defend the city of Puebla during the Battle of Puebla in May 1862. She worked in the infirmary of the army of the Federal Republic of Mexico, where she met Porfirio Díaz.

Personal life Calderón was married to Gabino Ortega, who headed the Light Cavalry that formed in Teziutlán with deserters from the French army. Ortega was killed in combat in Tétela del Oro in 1863. Calderón, who was fighting alongside her husband, was forced to abandon his body in order to escape with their weapons.